Sights and Sounds of The Community

When the Glow Goes Rogue and How I’m Getting It Back! Fabulous at fifty? Heck yes! But let me tell you, my friends, the day I woke up officially half a century old, it was like my body decided to throw me the biggest surprise party of all time — and not the fun kind. Seriously~ It was like this invisible switch was flipped! It was the weirdest and craziest thing to experience! My energy took a nosedive, my skin decided it was auditioning to be a stand-in for the Sahara Desert, and all those tried-and-true products I’ve loved for years just decided to quit on me. Thanks a lot, collagen! But here’s the thing: I’m not one to wallow in dry-skin despair. Nope, I’ve embraced this new chapter with a whole lot of curiosity, a dash of humor, and enough sparkle to make a disco ball jealous. And guess what? I’ve stumbled upon some absolute gems in the skincare and nutrition world that are starting to breathe new life into this face and body of mine. Let me give you the scoop! Let’s Talk Skin: Fro...

Hi my tribe and welcome back to another blog post! Yes, this one is going to talk about a morning routine and if you have been hanging out here for a while, you have already read about a morning routine. Before you click off of this and tell yourself you've had enough of my nonsense about morning routines, I actually hope that you hang out until the end.  I know. You're busy. You're tired. You don't have any more time in your day and you would much rather sleep that extra 15-30 minutes in the morning. I feel you!! I am you! Still, I hope you hang out! I do feel that this is important or I wouldn't be bringing it to you again! In a little different form this time.  Gorgeous Soul, let’s talk Miracle Morning and Life S.A.V.E.R.S. – Your Ultimate Sparkly Routine! Do you ever wake up feeling like you’re dragging yesterday’s energy into today’s opportunities? Or maybe you hit snooze one too many times and feel like your day is running you instead of the other way around? ...

  Hey gorgeous! Welcome back! I have been having some conversations with several beautiful friends. We're all a little more seasoned in life and the common thread that has come up, is that they're feeling they're "too old" for something. Whether it's starting that new project, that business they've been dreaming of, that new relationship and more.  This really breaks my heart!!! So we had some really lovely conversations about this, but then something else hit me. If they're feeling this way, they're probably not the only ones.  I also experienced the most amazing graduate this past weekend! Well, besides my sweet step-daughter! Let me share a story that warmed my heart this weekend. My step-daughter graduated with her degree, and I couldn’t have been prouder. But as the names were called, and caps flew high in celebration, one graduate stood out among the sea of fresh-faced achievers. His name was Carl, a gentleman with a full head of grey hair an...

  How to Reflect, Celebrate, and Prep for Your Most Sparkly Year Yet ✨ I know, I know, it's not even Christmas yet and I'm forcing you to think of 2025??  The countdown to 2025 is on, and it’s time to let go of boring resolutions! Prepping for the new year and reflecting on the past year in December gets you set up for success to roll right into the new year! AM I RIGHT!? Yes. 😀 I know, put up those eye rolls and read on sis!  We’re going to dive into a glitter-filled journey of reflection, celebration, and intentional goal-setting to make the upcoming year your most magical one yet. Grab your Do Life Big journal, light your favorite candle, and maybe even sprinkle some confetti—because we’re turning self-growth into a party! 🎉 Step 1: Reflect on the Past Year 🌟 Before you pop the champagne for 2025, let’s take a moment to shine a light on 2024. Reflection isn’t just about looking back—it’s about finding the glittery gold in your experiences. Journal Prompts to Reflect...

  You’ve Survived Thanksgiving: Now Let’s Prep for a Sparkly, Glitter-Filled Christmas The turkey’s been devoured, the pie plates are empty, and your stretchy pants have earned their keep. Thanksgiving is officially in the rearview mirror, and now it’s time to shift gears into full-on Christmas magic mode! The next few weeks promise twinkling lights, joyful moments, and—let’s face it—a sprinkle of chaos. But don’t worry! With a little organization, a mindset full of sparkle, and a dash of glittery fun, you’ll glide through this season like the Christmas queen (or king) you are. Here’s your guide to staying fabulous, festive, and cool while making this holiday season a magical masterpiece: 1. Start with Your Sparkly Vision ✨ Before diving headfirst into the holiday hustle, take a moment to dream. What’s your Christmas vibe this year? Cozy and peaceful? Bold and glamorous? Focused on family fun? Let this vision guide your choices so you don’t get caught up in the “must-dos” that don...

 Hey Gorgeous!  I am so glad that you're here! Are you feeling over stressed and over run by the holidays already and they haven't even begun? Same girl, same.  We have a very busy end of November and most of December here in my world, how about you? Through it all your self care and soul care are so important to try and keep at the top of your list for you!  Sparkle and Soul: How to Slay the Holidays with Soul Care at the Top of Your List Ah, the holidays—a time for twinkling lights, festive playlists, and way too many cookie trays calling your name. It’s a season of magic and joy, but let’s not sugarcoat it (even though, yes, sugar cookies are life): the holidays can also be a lot . So, how do you keep your sparkle when the season is throwing glitter-covered chaos your way? Two words: Soul Care . What Is Soul Care, and Why Is It So Fab? Soul care is like that secret ingredient in your grandma’s holiday recipe—it makes everything better . But instead of enhancing c...

  One of the topics I get so many questions on is, friendships in later life.  There's a lot of you that reach out and are not really sure what to do. Some of you have lost friends over time, or had mom friends that you chatted with at drop off and pick up, but maybe it didn't go anywhere. Some of you were just so focused on mom and wife life that the girlfriend life kind of went to the way side.  There's a lot that can happen to us along the way, as life takes on many different shapes. Growth, moving, some of us even just lose ourselves somewhere along the way, and it's a matter of stepping back and getting yourself back. I think I have been every one of these women along my journey.  I thought I'd share a few tips and tricks to help you find your tribe!  1. Start by Revisiting Your Passions Finding friends with shared interests is key. Whether you’re into yoga, knitting, painting, or 80s rock concerts, there’s a community out there! Re-engaging with hobbies is...

  🎄 The Sparkle and Sanity Guide: Staying Centered and Joyful During the Holidays! 🎄 Ok, I know that it is just the end of October, but you know that the holidays are fast approaching! It was laid on my heart to put this out now, hoping that you will save it for when you're in the depths of all things sleigh bells, snowy sidewalks and stressful evenings. I know all too well that you can get quickly caught in the middle of all the things and really feel like you're going to loose your shit.  Hang in there Sis! I got you!  Ah, the holiday season! The twinkling lights, the festive tunes, and yes—the hustle and bustle that seems to sneak up on us every year. With a sprinkle of planning and a dash of sparkle, you can savor the season without getting swept away in the holiday frenzy! Here are my top tips for keeping sane, staying focused, and sprinkling self-care into even the busiest days. 1. ✨ Let Go of the “Perfect Holiday” Pressure Let's start with a little reality check:...

How to Smash Your Goals Like the Queen You Are (With a Latte in Hand, Of Course) Hey, gorgeous! ✨ You know that feeling when you’re staring at your to-do list like it’s written in hieroglyphics? (Just me?) Or when your goals seem so far away, they might as well be hanging out on the moon? 🌙 I’ve been there, girl! But let me tell you, with a game plan, a dash of sass, and maybe an extra-large latte, you’ll be crossing off that list faster than a kid running to the ice cream truck. 🍦 Let me share a little story with you. Once upon a time (because all good stories start like that, right?), I decided it was time to do life BIG . I was juggling a million things—work, family, trying to figure out what in the world “fermentation” means on my new kombucha kit (still confused)—when I wrote my dream down on a sticky note. “Girl, you’ve got dreams. Stop waiting!” It stared at me from my fridge like a glittery cheerleader. Fast forward to now: I’m here, living those dreams and helping you slay ...

  Hey there beautiful soul, 🌟 So glad you're here for another blog post! Here we go again with a bit of time that has passed that I haven't given a blog.  What a great month it was though! Gosh, my birthday month was truly almost an entire month of celebrations. We started at the end of August having a weekend getaway to St. Louis to see a concert, the rock band, Creed. They are back together after several years and it's like they never took a break! It was phenomenal! It was also pretty great having the kids all under the same roof for the entire weekend!  Then over Labor Day weekend we went to Table Rock Lake which is in Branson, MO. We stayed at a wonderful AirBNB that was on the water! So peaceful! We took in shows and had a wonderful time. And mama got everyone under one roof again!  My mom has had a few more ups and downs with her health, but we are thankful that she is at KU Med working on getting better and all of the kids got to see her and visit, which was...

Hello, September! Welcoming Fall, Fun, and Feelings 🌻🍁 Can you believe it's already September?  We have a wild and crazy September here at the MacLean house!  For me, it’s not just the start of fall but also the month I turn 50! (Cue the confetti! 🎉) I’m so excited about all the fun things we have planned—pumpkin patches, cozy sweater weather, and warm apple cider. It's that magical time of year when the air gets crisper, and the leaves start to turn those beautiful shades of red and gold. 🍂 We took an adventure to Branson last weekend! That was so much fun! With my 50th upon me later this month, my kiddos surprised me by taking us all to one of our favorite locations! We have not been to Branson as a family for way too long!  We had so much fun!  Back home for now and this next week we will head to California. I’d be lying if I didn’t say this September also feels a little bittersweet. We’re still processing the loss of my father-in-law, and it’s a reminder that...

Hey Besties! Welcome to another blog~How are you? No, really. How are you? It's not fall yet, but back to school does mark the unofficial end of summer. Some of you really never get off schedules during the summer and so you slide into back to school with ease. You, my friends, are those I look up to! You are a Goddess of schedules and routines and I envy you. The others of us? Well, we race around like a wild animal and the house and kids are all in chaos. Not a very productive way to hit back to school, but, that was my norm for a long time. I would just get so lax with the kiddos during summer, kind of giving us all a break, but goodness that never went well when it came time for all things back to school.  Even you Goddesses can have a hard time, if you're not taking care of you as well. Even the best, most organized mamas can feel crazed on the inside, even if you don't look it on the outside, you gorgeous little goddess you!  Getting back into the school routine can b...

Hey there, beautiful souls! 🌟 Carri The Bubbly Boss Babe here again! :)  We are back from the weekend getaway and let me just tell you how wonderful it was for this mama's heart! Super amazing to have all the kiddos under the same roof for an ENTIRE weekend!  We had so much fun, got to see an amazing concert....and let me add, if you enjoy Creed and 3Doors Down, do yourself the favor of seeing them in concert! WOW! Totally blown away. Ok let me move on!!!  Are you ready for me to get juicy? Are you ready to dive into a topic that’s close to my heart—mindset? If you’ve ever wondered why some days feel like you’re on top of the world and others feel like you’re trudging through mud, the answer might be in the way you’re thinking.  Let’s explore how your mindset can make or break your day, and I’ll share some actionable tips to help you harness the power of a positive mindset! The Foundation of Your Day: Mindset Matters Mindset isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the foundatio...

 Hey Bestie, Welcome Back!  Yes, antother hiatus taken. Totally unplanned and I vow to get better at showing up here for you!  So what gives this time? So much.  I typically sit down to write to you on the weekends. Well, there has been a lot happening and the weekends ended up being either a blur or a total veg time with literally scrolling aimlessly on socials or just in front the tv. It started with mom. She had a toenail that seemed to be maybe in grown. She tried to cut it out herself. It then got inflammed and then there was a small section that turned black. SO scary.  Well, she's also kind of stubborn. I tried to first get her to go to a podiatrist. She thought that maybe there was a piece still in there that she didn't quite get out. Well, she also has neuropathy and touching her feet is painful. So it went untreated. I then suggested that maybe we just have the people that do her nails try and pull it out. Finally that suggestion seemed a good one. The...